under (a/the) strain
idiom
: having to do too much, dealing with a difficult problem, etc.
She has been under (a lot of) strain lately.
He is holding up under the strain.
He cracked/collapsed/buckled under the strain.
Examples of under (a/the) strain in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chakrin, the director of the parks nonprofit, said that parks are currently under strain and struggling with staffing across the West.
—
Chiara Eisner, NPR, 4 Aug. 2025
Other recent data reinforce the picture of an economy under strain.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
In a time when health care systems around the world are under strain—financially, technologically and morally—refocusing on value is not just a strategy.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
The nation's system of immigration detention centers is under strain, as arrests of undocumented immigrants have risen in recent months.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for under (a/the) strain
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chiara Eisner, NPR, 4 Aug. 2025
Other recent data reinforce the picture of an economy under strain.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025
In a time when health care systems around the world are under strain—financially, technologically and morally—refocusing on value is not just a strategy.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
The nation's system of immigration detention centers is under strain, as arrests of undocumented immigrants have risen in recent months.
—Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for under (a/the) strain
Cite this Entry
“Under (a/the) strain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/under%20%28a%2Fthe%29%20strain. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share